Hikaru in the light!

This bright, fresh manga perfect for younger readers follows one girl's journey to idol stardom. Singing every day in her family's bathhouse, Hikaru is sure the only fans she'll ever have are the old people who frequent the business. But when a music producer announces a new idol group concept, Hikaru's friend Ran challenges her to try out, too. Soon, Hikaru is giving her all in an effort to achieve her dreams of becoming an idol as the two girls engage in healthy competition to join this new group. Readers who are not quite ready for Tsurumaikada's Medalist will appreciate this energetic series opener, which engages in similar themes of striving to achieve one's dreams while remaining authentic to one's roots. With a dynamic balance of humor and heartfelt determination, this manga is vibrant with bubbly character illustrations and a diverse group of characters vying for the idol spotlight. Social bathing is a common cultural practice in Japan, and scenes in the bathhouse feature only implied nudity suiting the context. While the final artwork was not seen, this manga, unlike most others, will be in full color. The gentle story, noticeably lacking violence, focuses on friendship and self-determination, which is sure to appeal to younger readers looking for stories with heart, especially elementary schoolers who dream of pop stardom.

A shy middle schooler auditions for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a pop star in this series launch by Japanese manga artist Matsuda. Fourteen-year-old Hikaru Ogino is known as the "songbird of the public bath": her melodious voice often echoes throughout her family-owned bathhouse in Tokyo, to the delight of patrons and passersby. While watching an ad about auditions for Girls in the Light, a new musical group, Hikaru dreams of what it might be like to sing into a mic instead of a mop. When her best friend, Ran--a former member of popular girl group JPA--encourages Hikaru to audition with her, Hikaru must overcome nerves and lacking self-confidence to surpass the competition. Meanwhile, Ran faces her own challenges as an ex-idol, and wonders if she's talented enough to earn a second chance. Hikaru's endearing attempts to believe in herself and dive into the unknown--both during the audition process as well as her tumultuous transition into high school--delight in this feel-good graphic novel. Laugh-out-loud moments throughout, depicted via light-emanating panels of mainly muted blue and purple hues, add a buoyant feel to the high-concept premise and emotional themes. Back matter includes a note on public bathhouses and idol culture. Ages 8--12. (Mar.)

Gr 4 Up--Hikaru is a shy girl with a great singing voice, but her audience so far has only been the people in or near the Tokyo bathhouse where she works after school. Her best friend Ran already found fame as a member of a girl group, and Hikaru wonders how her own life might have changed if she'd made the same choice. When Ran comes back to town and invites Hikaru to join her in a new singing competition, Hikaru decides that she might be ready for the spotlight, after all. This story is sometimes sweet and funny, but sometimes an emotional roller coaster as readers watch a timid girl discover whether she has the potential to become an idol. Hikaru is a memorable and entertaining protagonist and especially endearing when she is so nervous during her audition that she decides to hold a mop in her hand instead of a microphone. The artwork captures the energy of the auditions, the power and emotion of the dances, and the humor of the shocked reactions as Hikaru gets closer to achieving her dreams. VERDICT This exciting and uplifting manga is perfect for readers who love stories about music, friendship, and becoming brave enough to come out of one's shell.--Andrea Lipinski

A Japanese teen auditions for a highly competitive musical group. Hikaru, 14, sings while cleaning her family's bathhouse--the high walls' acoustics are perfect, and the elderly audience members are an encouraging bunch, even if they keep requesting American oldies. But she wonders if there's more to life; for the past few years, her good friend Ran has been performing in a highly produced pop band. Ran shows up one night, declaring that she quit the group and that she wants to audition for a new ensemble being formed by a world-famous producer--and she hopes Hikaru will join her. Hikaru agrees, and the two dive straight into the rigorous competition together. Hikaru's central struggle proves her greatest gift; she's an amateur who performs with a mop instead of a mike, but she sings with her whole heart, captivating both the judges and her fellow contestants. Meanwhile, Ran wants to reinvent herself and prove she's more than just a pretty face. This manga, originally published in Japan, focuses on the competition's stages and personalities; the closest U.S. analogue is musical competition shows likeThe Voice, though this story has more grit than gloss. Full-color illustrations capture, with equal charm, Tokyo street scenes and idols sparkling onstage. Hikaru's hyperexpressive face conveys a broad range of emotions, making her big eyes look even bigger; she's a comedic, sympathetic central character. Potential pop stars sparkle in this intense series starter.(Graphic fiction. 9-15) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.